The City of Reading and the County of Berks invite citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties to participate in the development of the City and County Consolidated Plans covering federal fiscal years 2019-2023 by attending a public hearing on May 10, 2018 at 5:00 pm in City Hall, 815 Washington Street, Second Floor City Council Chambers, Reading.
The purpose of the hearing is to obtain the views and comments of individuals and organizations regarding the overall housing and community development needs of the City and County and a review of the past program performance. The information will be used in preparation of the Consolidated Plans and the 2019 Action Plans.
For Federal Fiscal Year 2019, the City expects to receive $2,400,000 from the CDBG Program, $700,000 from the HOME Program $225,000 from the ESG Program. For Federal Fiscal Year 2019, the County expects to receive $2,000,000 from the CDBG Program, $435,000 from the HOME Program, and $186,000 form the ESG Program. Both the City and County are also eligible to participate in the Section 108 Program. Section 108 is the loan guarantee provision of the CDBG Program whereby the City and County can borrow up to five times their latest CDBG Program grant for eligible activities.
Applications are available for the City’s CDBG, HOME, and ESG Programs. Applications are available for the County’s HOME and ESG Programs. Both the City and the County will only consider funding activities which are consistent with the City and County Comprehensive and Consolidated Plans. Instructions for submitting a proposal, criteria for eligibility and funding priorities are available from the Berks Redevelopment Authority Office, Services Center – 14th Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601, or phone 610-478-6325 or TDD 610-478-6335. Completed applications are due in the Berks Redevelopment Authority Office by the close of the business day on June 30, 2018. Technical assistance is available. Applications can also be obtained at www.readingpa.gov/community_development.asp
All citizens, public agencies and other interested parties may either attend this hearing or phone-in during the hearing to offer their views and comments. Persons requiring assistance due to hearing, speech, or vision impairments should notify the Berks County Redevelopment Authority at 610-478-6325 or TDD 610-478-6335.
